Skin cancer rates high in UK

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world (possibly matched by their neighbour, New Zealand). In the UK where we don’t have the same amount of sun we have double the amount of deaths due to skin cancer (although we have a much larger population). See related article: Healthier Sunscreens.

• Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70.

• In Australia there are around 1,279 deaths due to skin cancer (2007 figures).

• In the UK there are 2,560 deaths due to skin cancer each year (2008 figures).

• It is the fourth most common cancer in Australia with 10,342 cases each year (2007 figures).

• There are 11,770 new cases of malignant melanoma every year in the UK (2008 figures).

Children can even swim in a white T-shirt to deflect the sun’s rays under water when they are still just as powerful. This is often how they get burnt because they (and their parents) believe that as they are in water they will be protected. There is also a very common myth that if it’s cloudy you won’t get burnt, but you do!

Supplementing for the sun

It might not be that well known that we can protect the skin by arming ourselves with certain nutrients such as antioxidants that defend against ultraviolet rays. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene and lycopene are all rich sources of antioxidants that can help to protect the skin.

Taking a multivitamin and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as a matter of course is helpful, but a supplement that combines these nutrients is also useful.

Going on sunbeds can get you a great tan without going near a foreign beach, but there is an opinion among some medical experts that they are partly responsible for the increase in skin cancer. The law in the UK forbids anyone under 16 from using them.

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Disclaimer: This site does not replace medical advice and accepts no responsibility for any of the therapies and remedies which have been described. If in doubt about a medical condition consult your GP.